Attitudes are contagious

published May 17, 2012

in the Stockton Sentinel

Stockton, Kansas

            I recently attended a housing conference in Wichita and spent a couple of days with a couple hundred other housing managers, going over rules and regs for USDA-Rural Development multi-family housing projects such as the Stockton Housing Authority. I always enjoy these meetings because there is so much to learn and rules change frequently (it is government housing!), and it’s always a good thing to visit with people who have similar situations in their projects. These conferences are a great way to network with others who have been there, done that. Of the conferences I’ve attended on behalf of the housing authority, this conference stood out as the best and most informative, with very relevant information being shared. So it was time and money well spent.

            The highlight at this conference, however, didn’t have anything to do with housing rules, but it addressed something equally important. It had to do with attitude – how people deal with stress, how we face conflict and negative attitudes, and in general, how we choose to go through the day. The presenter was excellent, a wonderful storyteller and motivator. She shared of personal tragedies in her life and some of her most embarrassing moments. In her three-hour presentation, she took us through about every range of human emotion, had us laughing hysterically one moment and biting back tears the next.

            One of her little easy-to-remember acronyms was ANTS – “Automatic Negative Thoughts,” which are countered when you AMP it up by being “Automatically Mentally Positive.” Stop the ANTS!

            You probably know Maxine, the witty cartoon philosopher seen on greeting cards (Hallmark, I think) that’s got an opinion on just about everything and isn’t afraid to share it. According to Maxine, “A day without griping is like a day without talking at all.” Although I always get a chuckle when I read Maxine-isms, I wouldn’t want to spend much time with her if she was a real person. She’s absolutely crawling with ANTS!

            Here’s one final thought, actually a Chinese Proverb: “That the birds of worry and care fly above your head, this you cannot change. But that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent.” 

            Attitude is contagious… I hope you catch a good one!